There are many styles of cardigans to chose from such as those made with a V-neck, the sleeveless vest and the zip up styles among others. This knitwear comes in different forms of fabric and colors. The type of knit used also differs for you can find some made from polyester, others from cotton or polyester. These types of knitwear appear clean and the cardigans made from this type of knit are thin. It is also possible to find knitwear made from wool and cotton and this type of knitwear is heavy, warm and comfortable.

When looking for a cardigan to buy, the first thing you should consider is how well it will match with your body type. If you are plump, then you should go for those that will not make you look so much overweight. Try to get those that will keep your body looking in shape. So seek to buy those that are thinner as opposed to the heavy ones. You may also think of getting the sleeveless vest. If you are a short person, the zip up style of cardigan is a good choice for it will make you look taller. However, if you are looking for a knitwear cardigan to keep you warm without considering other factors, the heavy ones will be a good choice. Comfort is also another issue to look out for when buying cardigans. Those cardigans that have an inner lining are the best to look out for, for comfort.

Other forms of knitwear include scarves and jumpers that are essential when the cold season starts. Choosing the scarves to wear will depend on the clothes you are wearing that day. The color of the scarves should not crush with that of your clothes. Leggings are also another type of knitwear and should be comfortable to wear while not color crashing with the clothes one is wearing. This type of knitwear is best when it is lightweight and able to guard the wearer from wind. There are also hats made of knitwear to keep your head warm during cold weather. You should follow the characteristics mentioned above when selecting knitwear hats. The other form of knitwear to select is gloves, which will keep your hands warm during the cold season.

When getting these, make sure that they are well fitting and that they have extra insulation for the very cold seasons such as winter. You may also consider carrying an extra pair of gloves in case the one you have gets wet from moisture. Designer knitwear is also available which means that it is a fashion statement. One of these designs is in jumpers, which are now very fashionable to wear and come in different styles and colors and offer an alternative to the common hooded jumpers.

These five stitches, I believe, form the very foundation of knitting. Learn, and perfect, each one of these, and you will be well on your way to becoming an expert in knitting!

All other patterns emerge from these few stitches. So, let’s begin!

‘The Knit Stitch’. Have you ever looked at something knitted? I mean, really looked? If you have, you will see one side of the knitting looks different from the other.

Knitting follows structures. The knit stitch is formed by making loops which interweave with one another; one after another.

The knit stitch will resemble little “v” patterns when viewed from the knit side of a pattern.

To form a “knit stitch” you use one needle to pull a loop of yarn through the existing stitch on the other needle. (You can knit with more than two needles, but that’s a discussion for another day.)

Holding both needles in your hands, insert the right needle, from “front to back” into the first stitch on the left needle. Keeping the yarn at the back, bring it “over” the tip of the needle, counterclockwise. Pull the yarn down, and catch it with the right needle.

Slip the “old” stitch off the left needle and you have a new stitch on the right needle! A knit stitch!

Many times you will be told the knit stitch is the “right side” or RS of your work. But, once in a while, it will be the “wrong side” or WS.

Either way, it’s good to know those two abbreviations.

‘The Purl Stitch’. The purl stitch will resemble what looks like “brick-face” when viewed from the purl side of a pattern.

Unlike the knit stitch, with the purl stitch, you hold the yarn to the “front” of your knitting.

Insert the right needle from “back to front” into the first stitch on the left needle. With your right index finger, wrap yarn counterclockwise around and down the right needle.

Draw the right needle and yarn backwards through the “old” stitch. Slip off the old stitch. A new stitch forms. A purl stitch!

‘Knit 2 Together.’ Now, this is easy! Just knit two together! Insert the right needle into the second stitch from the tip of the left needle, making sure to “catch” the first stitch with it.

Bring your yarn over and up, then down, catch your yarn, slip the old stitches off, and you have a new stitch in their place.

You will have only one new stitch from two. Knitting two together is often used to decrease stitches or to create an open-work pattern.

‘Yarn-over’. Adding a yarn-over, or YO, is also used when creating open-work designs. To do a yarn-over after a knit stitch, just bring your yarn across your work from the back to the front. Then, knit the next stitch.

You will see an extra “stitch” on the row. When you come to that stitch in your next row of knitting, it will not look anchored like the others. That’s because you put it there, all of itself.

Knit it like you would knit any stitch. As you go, you will see that yarn-overs create “holes” or openwork designs in your knitting.

‘Stockinette Stitch’. This stitch is knitting’s most common. All it consists of is knitting one row, then purling the next, and so on, and so on.

The stockinette stitch is exactly where every knitter should begin. And stick with it until you know your stitches well!

Of all the different types of needlework, knitting is one of the most popular. Knitting is a specific type of needlework that is identified by the process of looped stitches pulled through one another. Knitting is commonly used to make clothing and accessories such as hats, scarves, sweaters and gloves, as well as blankets and afghans. Most commercially produced knitted items are made with knitting machines; their high speed is indispensable for meeting the demands of the world economy. Knitting machines have not done away with human knitting, however; far from it, knitting has gone through a recent resurgence in popularity as a craft and hobby.

One of the great things about knitting is that you can make a wide variety of items with the same relatively simple steps. Just select a different type of yarn and a different variation in your stitch, and you can come up with a very different end product.

The origins of knitting

Archaeologists have found evidence of knitting as far back as the first millennium. Obviously, knitting has been around for a long time. Indeed, even the ancient Egyptians are known to have knitted colorful socks and other accessories. It is generally thought that the first peoples to use knitting to make blankets and clothing were the ancient Arabians.

The history of knitting was pretty straightforward until the invention of the knitting machine. The knitting machine completely changed the purpose of knitting. Before the industrialization of knitting, it was an essential task for many families, a means to keep warm and clothed. After the knitting machine, blankets and clothing were mass-produced far more cheaply than any one person making it. For this reason, knitting today is primarily a recreational pursuit. Knitters enjoy gathering together to socialize. People love to knit because it can be an extremely relaxing way to pass the time and ease one’s nerves. The products of their pastimes are often presented as gifts, which can save you some money as well.

The demographics of knitting are changing as well. Knitting used to be the sole preserve of primarily older women. More and more, however, knitting is becoming popular with younger generations. Indeed, some studies show that knitting has risen in popularity among the 25 to 35 age group by as much as 150%.

Different types of knitting

The two main types of straight-needle knitting are weft knitting and warp knitting. Weft knitting requires only one string of yarn at time, but can be more susceptible to snags and runs. Warp knitting, on the other hand, is usually done by machine, so when most people think of knitting, they are usually thinking of weft knitting. Another important type of knitting that is commonly done by hand is circular knitting. This method uses a circular needle, and creates a “tube” of yarn when completed – great for socks and other tubular garments.

What materials do you need to start knitting?

Knitting is an ancient and rudimentary craft. As such, the materials that you need to knit are fairly basic; when it comes down to it, all you need to knit is some needles and some yarn. You should pay close attention to the type of yarn you use, however, as it will have a significant impact on how your final product looks and feels. For instance, certain yarns are appropriate for stretchy materials, while other yarns will produce less stretchy, more solid final results. The width and thickness of the yarn should be taken into account when selecting knitting needles to use. Picking out the yarn can be one of the more pleasant steps in making an item, as knitting yarn comes in a variety of colors and styles and it is always fun to play around with your imagination. Some are solid colors, others have multiple colors for striping, and others include sparkles and other embellishments.

Knitting resources

The best thing for those serious about knitting is to join a knitting circle. In a knitting circle, members will meet with their yarn and needles at the home of different members or local coffee shop and just knit, share tips, and socialize.

If you are on your own, you can always turn to the Internet for a wealth of knitting resources. Groups, forums, and message boards provide a means of communication and getting together for knitters. Through these avenues, many knitting enthusiasts share tips, techniques, patterns, and tales of successful projects. The Internet is also a great place to order knitting materials and patterns, and can help novice knitters get past some of the challenges that face those new to the craft.

Craft and hobby stores will also carry a robust selection of knitting needles, yarns and patterns. Do not be afraid to ask employees in these stores for help – more often than not, you will be able to find experienced knitters who can offer you some sound advice and tips.

Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been knitting for years. See her favorite knit patterns at Knits and Knitting Patterns, and be sure to visit Knitting for more knitting fun!

The cardigan sweater has been a long time favorite for both men and women. You can find them in a variety of lengths and styles. The long cardigan is one of the single favored styles. The long cardigan is perfect to keep you warm in the cooler months of the year.

These are perfect for both men and women. They are made in a variety of materials with wool being amongst the favorite. They come in all different types of styles as well.

A cardigan is a type of sweater that usually buttons up or in some cases can zipper up. They are traditionally long sleeved although they can also have short or three quarter sleeves. They are often also made from cotton, acrylic blends and wool. many new fibers and fiber blends are being created every year.

A cardigan sweater has a long history in fashion. There are plenty of options because they have been such a fashion staple. They have never gone out of style. They have been around for quite some time but what has changed is how they are worn.

You can wear a long cardigan with skirts, slacks and jeans. Many times a long cardigan will be the main piece of clothing in an outfit. It can be worn belted with a matching belt or it can be worn with a belt made of yarn or leather.

Most of the time a long cardigan, is a part of a layered outfit. Typically it is worn with either a long sleeve shirt or a turtle neck. Sometimes it is a bit sophisticated in its style and in that case it is typically worn with dress clothes.

The type of yarn used to knit the long cardigan will dictate the cost of the sweater. The more luxurious the yarn, the more expensive it will be to buy the yarn and knit it yourself or buy it already knit. For example, an angora sweater will be much more expensive than an acrylic sweater. Expect to spend anywhere from forty dollars to several hundred dollars. Regardless what you spend it is a great investment, this is a timeless classic that will never go out of style.

Did you ever enjoy texture of yarns in your hand or wondering how that interesting color pattern was created in your favorite sweater? Then you will surely have fun learning the art of knitting. Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth-weaving and crochet. It’s all about creativity.

The Introductory Steps of Knitting

Unlike woven fabric, knitted fabric consists entirely of horizontal parallel rows of knit stitches created by yarn. The rows are joined to each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one row of yarn is wrapped over the stitch of another row. Knitting can be done either by hand, described below, or by machine. What makes knitting even more exciting is the fact that this art can be easily learned.

In practice, hand knitting is usually begun by forming a base series of twisted loops of yarn on a needle. This is called a Cast On. A second knitting needle is then used to reach through each loop in succession in order to catch a bit of yarn and pull a length back through the loop. This forms a new stitch. Work can proceed in the round (circular knitting) or by going back and forth in rows. Knitting can also be done by machines, which use a different mechanical system to produce nearly identical results.

Knitting Styles: There are two basic styles of knitting; English and Continental. The difference between the two is in how you hold the yarn. In the English method the yarn is held in the right hand. In continental knitting, the yarn is held in the left hand. Whatever your natural hand-preference, you should be able to master either method because the nature of knitting is basically ambidextrous.

The two basic stitches are knit or plain and purl or wrong. These two nominal stitches are actually identical, however, being the stitch and reverse of the same stitch. It is the variations and combinations of these two stitches that create all the different stitch patterns which are possible in knitting. Typically, a knit stitch is formed by inserting the needle in the front of the loop from a left-to-right perspective and pulling a loop of yarn through to form a new loop, while a purl stitch is formed by inserting the needle in the front of the loop from a right-to-left perspective.

A piece of knitting begins with the process of casting on, which involves the initial creation of the stitches on the needle. Casting on is the first step in knitting These stitches become the first row of stitches and one edge of your work, usually the bottom or hem.

Different methods of cast on are used for different effects; one may be stretchy enough for lace, while another provides a decorative edging. Provisional cast on is used when the knitting will continue in both directions from the cast on.

The body of a knitted piece may include plain stitches or a number of colors and textured patterns. The number of active stitches remains the same as when cast on unless stitches are added -an increase or removed- a decrease to shape the item.

Patterns to Knit: There are lots of people who sit at home and publish great knitting patterns from home. Since over the years they have collected and modified many knitting patterns. They make a great income by selling/publishing the patterns on the internet. Once you have enough practice, even you could make some online income.

Many patterns can be made by using knit and purl stitches in various combinations. If only knits or only purls are used when working back and forth in rows, the result is called garter stitch.

Alternating rows of knits and purls result in stockinette stitch, also known as stocking or jersey stitch, the stitch most often used in commercial garments such as sweaters. Different combinations of stitches can be used to form ribbing, cables, or other textures.

Once the knitted piece is finished, the remaining live stitches are cast off. Casting or binding off loops the stitches across each other so they can be removed from the needle without unraveling the item. Although the mechanics are different from casting on, there are a similar variety of methods and choices to be made. Of the various methods the most versatile are the Plain Bind-off and the Suspended Bind-off.

Knitted garments are most commonly made in pieces, where individual sections of the garment are knit separately and then sewn together once all the pieces have been completed. Seamless knitting, where a whole garment is knit as a single piece is also possible. Smaller items, such as socks and hats are usually knit in one piece on double pointed needles.

Many pleasurable hours can be spent on knitting projects. I seem to enjoy the cardigans, jackets and coats the most. In determining how to knit the items so the yarn is showcased and is the right weight for the project adds to the creativity for me.

I’m launching my video series showing how to start from selecting the yarn, to knitting and on to finishing. Then when you wear one of these masterpieces you can have the most amazing satisfaction experience. I call it layering satisfaction.

The satisfaction of:

selecting yarn you really enjoy and want to work with

actually knitting the garment

finishing the project

assembly of your garment

wearing your garment

and of course the compliments

There is nothing quite like it in the enjoyment of each area. OK maybe not the assembly so much but even that has a level of completion that satisfies.

If you are in the Atlanta, GA area you can take a class in person with me.